Chapter 434 Lin Daiyu's Lifelong Wish
"Granny, I think Brother Bao is quite different from before." Daiyu put down her pen, lost in thought.
"How exactly is it different?" Yuan Hongqu also wanted to know what aspects of Daiyu's changed opinion of Jia Baoyu were.
After all, she had been working hard to break the "preordained bond between wood and stone," and she was about to succeed. But then Jia Baoyu, that broken stone, started to rise from the ashes again and tried to provoke the Crimson Pearl Fairy, whom she had raised with all her love and care. How could that possibly work!
"He seems to have improved somewhat, and is not as spoiled as before." Although Lin Daiyu's opinion of Jia Baoyu had changed, she had seen plenty of his "troublemaker" behavior since he was a child.
At that time, she didn't think he was a spoiled child at all; she thought Jia Baoyu was sick and needed treatment.
Unexpectedly, Jia Baoyu's illness was cured.
Which celestial being enlightened him?
"He's just not at home. After all, when he's visiting someone's home, he's usually more well-behaved than when he's at home," Yuan Hongqu relentlessly mocked Jia Baoyu.
“I don’t think so, Granny. Do you think he might have had some kind of extraordinary encounter?” Daiyu suddenly had a whimsical thought.
"No way. At most, he'll be haunted by ghosts. Don't even think about any extraordinary encounters." Yuan Hongqu still believes that those people who took Jia Baoyu to the Land of Illusion were not human, but spirits or ghosts.
Upon hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help but smile: "The way you're talking, Granny, makes it sound like you've personally witnessed him being haunted by ghosts."
Yuan Hongqu gave a light snort and placed the teacup on the table with a light touch: "He talks like a madman all day long, saying things like 'daughters are made of water and flesh,' and he forgets his younger sister's behavior when he sees his older sister. Isn't he bewitched by a demon?"
“But looking at Bao Erge now, he is indeed very different from before.” Daiyu picked up her round fan and waved it lightly, her eyes turning slightly. “A few days ago, he helped purchase writing materials for the academy. He not only knew the details of each shop very well, but he also knew the origin of each ream of paper and the craftsmanship of each ink stick like the back of his hand. What’s even more remarkable is that he was able to lower the price by 30%, and the shopkeeper was willing to do so.”
Yuan Hongqu raised an eyebrow: "Perhaps the Jia family's situation is not as good as before, so he has to learn to be more frugal."
“Not only that.” Daiyu leaned forward slightly. “That day, when Cijin’s wheelchair got stuck at the threshold, he went to help without saying a word. His movements were steady and polite, completely unlike his previous clumsy self. I watched him closely and realized that he now had the demeanor of a young master from a noble family.”
Yuan Hongqu pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did he say anything else like 'a girl should be pure and innocent' or other such nonsense?"
Daiyu covered her mouth and chuckled: "No, that's not true. That day, a few female students were too shy to enter the academy, but he gently persuaded them, saying something like, 'It's good to study and understand principles, and girls should also have their own world.' Those girls blushed and went in."
These words surprised Yuan Hongqu. She remembered that although Jia Baoyu in the past also pitied women, he always had a condescending regret, as if women were born to be protected and should not have their own opinions.
"Could it be that he has really grown up?" Yuan Hongqu muttered to herself, then shook her head. "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. Perhaps he doesn't dare to act rashly because he sees that you are now a princess."
Daiyu said, "I don't think so. The other day when he was helping me check the accounts, he was very serious. He was using the abacus so fast that it made a clattering sound. He was even more skilled than the accountant. I asked him where he learned it, and he said he had been following our family's accountant recently."
Yuan Hongqu was taken aback upon hearing this. It was truly a change of heart that Jia Baoyu, such a dissolute young man, could pick up an abacus to do accounts.
“Granny, you say,” Daiyu suddenly lowered her voice, “could it be that after he lost the jade pendant that year, although he fell ill, he actually benefited from the misfortune and became enlightened?”
Yuan Hongqu pondered for a long time before finally sighing, "If that's really the case, then it's his good fortune. But..." She changed the subject, her gaze sharp as she looked at Daiyu, "Now that you are a princess and have the Empress's favor, your future is limitless."
Upon hearing this, Daiyu was taken aback, but then realized what Yuan Hongqu meant, and her cheeks flushed red: "What are you thinking, Granny! I was just a little curious about Bao Erge's change."
Then he said seriously,
"Granny, you understand me. What I've always longed for has never been that cramped courtyard in the inner quarters. Once I'm free and have left this mortal world behind, I'll definitely travel all over the country, visiting famous mountains and rivers. I'll follow in Xu Xiake's footsteps and travel all over the country. If I have the chance to soar through the sky, that will be my lifelong wish!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Hongqu's eyes flashed with relief.
The girl she raised herself was naturally incomparable to ordinary young ladies.
"What ambition!" Yuan Hongqu clapped her hands and laughed. "If you really want to travel, and if you don't mind me being nosy, I can accompany you. But..." She changed the subject, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "If you want to end your mortal life, do you intend to tie your hair up and become a female Taoist priest?"
Daiyu smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes: "If Granny could come with me, I'd be more than happy! But, as for becoming a female Taoist priest with me, I wonder if Moming would agree..."
The two were chatting and laughing when Xueyan rushed in to report: "Miss, the Tenth Prince has arrived. He said he heard that Young Master Jia is helping out at the academy, and he wants to do his part as well."
Daiyu and Yuan Hongqu exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Please wait in the front hall, Your Highness." Daiyu straightened her dress and said softly to Yuan Hongqu, "This gentleman is probably just acting on a whim again."
In the front hall, the Tenth Prince was examining the layout of the academy with great interest. When he saw Daiyu enter, he immediately smiled and said, "Princess Lin, I heard that your academy is thriving, and even that纨绔 (playboy) Jia Baoyu can help. I would also like to contribute my share."
After bowing, Daiyu said tactfully, "I appreciate Your Highness's kindness. However, the academy is full of female students, and Your Highness is of noble status, so it may be inconvenient for you to visit often."
The Tenth Prince waved his hand dismissively: "What's the big deal! I can donate some silver or recommend a few female teachers. I heard you're short of instructors for medical classes? The wife of the Imperial Medical Academy's director is most skilled in acupuncture; I can invite her to teach."
“Your Highness’s kindness is appreciated. On behalf of the teachers and students of the academy, Daiyu thanks you.” Daiyu’s tone was gentle yet firm. “However, the academy’s regulations have already been established, and all teachers must pass an examination before they can teach. As for the funds…” She smiled slightly, “Her Majesty the Empress has already allocated sufficient funds for the academy at present.”
The Tenth Prince was rebuffed, but he didn't give up: "Then may I come to observe occasionally? I promise not to disturb the teaching!"
Daiyu recalled the incident with the porcelain vase beauty that day, and her tone became slightly somber: "Your Highness, the academy is a place for women to study, not a stage for acrobatics. It is probably inappropriate to allow people to watch it."
These words were too harsh, and the Tenth Prince immediately blushed: "Princess Lin, you misunderstand. I had absolutely no such intention..."
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